Chatham Islands New Mayor: Greg Horler Elected
- Three-term councillor Greg Horler has been provisionally elected mayor, replacing Monique Croon, who served as 2019.
- Greg Horler, a veteran councillor with three terms of service, has been provisionally elected as the new mayor of the Chatham Islands.
- He expressed his enthusiasm for increased involvement in shaping the future of the islands, particularly addressing the economic challenges faced by residents.
Greg Horler Elected as New Mayor of the Chatham Islands
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Three-term councillor Greg Horler has been provisionally elected mayor, replacing Monique Croon, who served as 2019. The Chatham Islands, New Zealand’s most remote community, is home to approximately 600 residents.
Photo: Kristie-Lee Thomas
New Leadership for the Chatham Islands
Greg Horler, a veteran councillor with three terms of service, has been provisionally elected as the new mayor of the Chatham Islands. He succeeds Monique Croon, who concluded her tenure after serving as mayor since 2019. The election results were published on the Chatham Islands Council Facebook page, but did not include details on voter turnout or the vote count for each candidate.
This marks Horler’s second attempt at the mayoralty. He expressed his enthusiasm for increased involvement in shaping the future of the islands, particularly addressing the economic challenges faced by residents.
Economic Challenges and the cost of Living
Horler highlighted the substantially higher cost of living on the Chatham Islands compared to mainland New Zealand. He estimates that living expenses are approximately 30 percent higher. Despite being surrounded by rich fishing grounds, many residents struggle financially, effectively living on the breadline.
“It’s probably about 30 percent more expensive to live here than it is on the mainland,” Horler told RNZ. “People here are running on the bread-line, even though we’re surrounded by one of the richest fishing grounds in the world.”
Focus on Government Investment
A key priority for Mayor Horler is securing increased government investment in the Chatham Islands economy. He believes that strategic investment is crucial for the islands’ long-term prosperity.
“I’m more driven towards making economical value for the Chathams,so the government can see it’s well worth putting more money in here,” Horler stated. “It’s like a business – if you don’t put money into it, the business is going to go backward and that’s pretty much what’s happening on the Chathams.”
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published: October 12, 2025, 08:39:06 (UTC). This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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